The monthly African & Caribbean Mass takes place this Sunday (2 April) at 1pm in St Patrick’s, The Cowgate, Edinburgh. All welcome!
Gallery: Praying together for peace in Ukraine
St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh hosted an ecumenical prayer service for peace in Ukraine last night (Friday 24 February), writes Corrie Young.
Archbishop Leo Cushley was joined by Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Holy Family of London, the Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the Church of Scotland, and Bishop John Armes of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
From left: Bishop John Armes, Robert Aldridge, Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski and Archbishop Leo Cushley.
Archbishop Cushley said: “This is not political. This is about coming to the house of God and bowing our heads before Almighty God and asking him to spare his people, to grant us a peace that we are unable it seems to give ourselves, to do that with humility.
Archbishop Cushley gives a blessing at the prayer service.
“I was delighted and honoured that so many distinguished people were able to join us like the Moderator, the Lord Provost, the Bishop of Edinburgh, and above all the Catholic Ukrainian Eparch.”
Bishop Nowakowski described the event as "a time of great emotion".
Bishop Nowakowski said: “This evening was a time of great emotion for us to be able to pray together with Archbishop Leo and all of the other faith and civic leaders.
I continue to thank God for the wonderful people of Scotland and for the openness that especially the Catholics have shown to these people here in in Scotland who have fled.
"I think when we prayed the Lord’s Prayer, we prayed as one big family. The Scottish people have shown solidarity, generosity, and kindness.
“It's been a horrific year of atrocities but the Ukrainian people are very resilient. They are not just fighting for their own existence, they're fighting for Europe, for democracy, and for freedom.
“For me personally, I cannot be more grateful than I am. I continue to thank God for the wonderful people of Scotland and for the openness that especially the Catholics have shown to these people here in in Scotland who have fled.”
The Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields said: “We’re here because we felt we had to be here to stand with the people of Ukraine and pray for the people of Ukraine to let them know that we are constantly thinking about them in our prayers.
"We are praying for this awful experience to end.
“The atmosphere this evening was humbling. A real, deep sense of God’s peace and presence there tonight. It was beautiful.”
Archbishop joins MSPs for Ash Wednesday at Holyrood
MSPs and parliament staff attended an Ash Wednesday service at Holyrood today, led by Archbishop Leo Cushley.
In his homily, he said: "As Christians, Jesus does not ask us to be relevant or important in the life of the nation. He asks us to be His faithful disciples.
"Jesus said: 'Repent and believe in the Gospel' - that's what we are doing here today.
"It falls on you to be His witness. If we get that right the rest will fall into place."
Marie McNair MSP was the reader at the service and received ashes along with fellow politicians Alex Rowley, Bob Doris, Mairi Gougeon, Michael Matheson, Clare Adamson, Monica Lennon, Mark Griffin, Paul Sweeney, Paul O'Kane, Pauline McNeill, Donald Cameron and Annie Wells.
Anthony Horan, Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, said: "It is a testament to the openness and diversity of our Parliament that Archbishop Leo was able to distribute ashes to MSPs on this solemn day for Catholics.
"This was the best attended Ash Wednesday service in the Parliament since the annual event was established in 2018.
I hope that the presence of the Archbishop and gathering together with other people of faith will offer comfort and support to our MSPs in the challenges of political life
"I hope that the presence of the Archbishop and gathering together with other people of faith will offer comfort and support to our MSPs in the challenges of political life, and that open expressions of faith will continue to be facilitated and supported by our parliament."
This year's event was organised by Archbishop Cushley and Anthony Horan with help from the office of Donald Cameron MSP.
Earlier in the day Archbishop Cushley was principal celebrant at the Ash Wednesday morning Mass at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh.
GALLERY: Rorate Mass & blessing of crib
Archbishop Cushley blessed the new crib at St Mary's Cathedral last night (Monday 12 December) after a candlelit Rorate Mass.
The Mass was accompanied by beautiful music to help lift up hearts to God!
Afterwards, people gathered in Coffee Saints cafe for Mulled Wine and Mince Pies.
(Pics: Benedicta Lin).
Mass for the Holy Innocents
Archbishop Leo Cushley celebrates Mass on the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Register here.
Afterwards:
Refreshments will be available in the Islay room of the Gillis Centre. Do join us for some social time in good company!
Transport:
Parking: Free and available on first come, first served basis. Come early to secure your place and follow the directions of the stewards. Metered parking is available outside Gillis on Strathearn Road, Whitehouse Loan and Thirlestane Road.
Bus: Edinburgh's Number 5 bus stops directly outside the Gillis Centre.
Driving: Postcode for Gillis is EH9 1BB.
Watch: New bookshop opens this weekend
St Pauls Bookshop opens at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh (beside John Lewis) this Saturday afternoon.
Fr Baji, Fr Shinto and Bookshop Manager Emma look forward to welcoming you! Watch the video below or on YouTube. Read more here.
WATCH: Highlights from Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage
Here are highlights from the wonderful Pilgrimage in honour of Venerable Margaret Sinclair, which took place at St Patrick's, in the Cowgate, Edinburgh.
Pray for her intercession and let's make her Scotland's next blessed!
Eucharistic Adoration with Archbishop Cushley
Archbishop Cushley invites Catholics to join him for Eucharistic Adoration at St Margaret’s Chapel at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh.
The event is to pray for “insight, courage and joy in our mission,” and takes place 6-7pm on the following Sundays: 18 December, 10 January, 12 February, 12 March.
In the Archdiocesan Synod Report, published earlier this year, he said: "Arising from the synodal process in this Archdiocese, there is, I believe, a real need to deepen the prayer life, the spirituality, and discernment of every individual in this Archdiocese.
"I feel we may have made a start on this process this year by reinvigorating the Forty Hours’ devotion in the Archdiocese, but much remains to be done."
Holy Hour
He added: "To this end, I will institute a monthly Holy Hour at the Gillis Centre to which I invite all the faithful to come and pray with me before Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament.
"As it says in the very motto of the City of Edinburgh, Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain (Ps 127:1).Together let us ask the Lord to bless our endeavours and raise up committed disciples in this Archdiocese".
The Working Document of the Continental Stage of the Synod 2021-23 was recently published and can be read here.
Holy Hour with Archbishop Cushley. 6-7pm at St Margaret's Chapel, 18 December, 10 January, 12 February, 12 March. 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. No registration required, just turn up. Free parking onsite.
Eucharistic Adoration with Archbishop Cushley
Archbishop Cushley invites Catholics to join him for Eucharistic Adoration at St Margaret’s Chapel at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh.
The event is to pray for “insight, courage and joy in our mission,” and takes place 6-7pm on the following Sundays: 18 December, 10 January, 12 February, 12 March.
In the Archdiocesan Synod Report, published earlier this year, he said: "Arising from the synodal process in this Archdiocese, there is, I believe, a real need to deepen the prayer life, the spirituality, and discernment of every individual in this Archdiocese.
"I feel we may have made a start on this process this year by reinvigorating the Forty Hours’ devotion in the Archdiocese, but much remains to be done."
Holy Hour
He added: "To this end, I will institute a monthly Holy Hour at the Gillis Centre to which I invite all the faithful to come and pray with me before Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament.
"As it says in the very motto of the City of Edinburgh, Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain (Ps 127:1).Together let us ask the Lord to bless our endeavours and raise up committed disciples in this Archdiocese".
The Working Document of the Continental Stage of the Synod 2021-23 was recently published and can be read here.
Holy Hour with Archbishop Cushley. 6-7pm at St Margaret's Chapel, 18 December, 10 January, 12 February, 12 March. 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. No registration required, just turn up. Free parking onsite.
Eucharistic Adoration with Archbishop Cushley
Archbishop Cushley invites Catholics to join him for Eucharistic Adoration at St Margaret’s Chapel at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh.
The event is to pray for “insight, courage and joy in our mission,” and takes place 6-7pm on the following Sundays: 18 December, 10 January, 12 February, 12 March.
In the Archdiocesan Synod Report, published earlier this year, he said: "Arising from the synodal process in this Archdiocese, there is, I believe, a real need to deepen the prayer life, the spirituality, and discernment of every individual in this Archdiocese.
"I feel we may have made a start on this process this year by reinvigorating the Forty Hours’ devotion in the Archdiocese, but much remains to be done."
Holy Hour
He added: "To this end, I will institute a monthly Holy Hour at the Gillis Centre to which I invite all the faithful to come and pray with me before Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament.
"As it says in the very motto of the City of Edinburgh, Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain (Ps 127:1).Together let us ask the Lord to bless our endeavours and raise up committed disciples in this Archdiocese".
The Working Document of the Continental Stage of the Synod 2021-23 was recently published and can be read here.
Holy Hour with Archbishop Cushley. 6-7pm at St Margaret's Chapel, 18 December, 10 January, 12 February, 12 March. 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. No registration required, just turn up. Free parking onsite.
